Under the Law on Citizenship and Entry into Israel enacted in 2003 as a “temporary order,” Palestinian spouses of Israeli citizens or residents of East Jerusalem who meet eligibility criteria may obtain military permits, renewable annually, with no opportunity to “upgrade” their status to temporary resident (A/5 visa)- Israeli temporary resident visa.
. Every year, applicants risk revocation of their permits and live in Israel without the right to social services and full freedom of movement.
In his April 2016 response to petitions submitted to the High Court of Justice, the Minister of Interior notified the court that the “temporary” Law would be extended for another term, but that Palestinian holders of military permits who submitted their applications for family unification under the Law prior to 2004 would now be “upgraded” to temporary residency status. Under the amended policy, Palestinian spouses and their children (born after 1.1.1998) will receive A/5 visas ( Israeli temporary resident visa )– a status which grants them social benefits, including medical insurance and the right to education – so long as they continue to meet eligibility criteria, including proof of center of life in Israel and the absence of a security or criminal ban.
The Ministry of Interior notified the court that according to records from the Population and Immigration Authority, roughly 2,104 applicants are now eligible for A/5 visas, from a total of 9,900 Palestinian spouses living in Israel with family reunification military permits.
In July 2016, the Ministry of Interior began summoning eligible Palestinians to its offices for purposes of upgrading. According to the Ministry of Interior, all eligible applicants are scheduled to be summoned by March 2017.
To view the Ministry of Interior’s official statement regarding the change in policy in Hebrew.